Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has raised concerns over the alarming rise in domestic violence in Northwest Nigeria, particularly in Kano and Kaduna States.
Speaking at the launch of the Northwest Zonal Sensitization Against Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence in Kaduna, Abbas revealed that 40 percent of women in Kano State have experienced some form of abuse.
“Domestic violence remains widespread, with nearly 35 percent of women nationwide facing abuse. In the Northwest, the figures are even more concerning, with up to 40 percent of women in Kano reportedly affected,” Abbas stated.
He called for urgent intervention involving government agencies, community leaders, and religious organizations to tackle the crisis.
Beyond domestic violence, Abbas also highlighted the rising cases of drug abuse in the region, noting a 25 percent increase in drug-related cases over the past three years. He quoted statistics showing that one in four drug users in Nigeria is female, and that the Northwest alone has three million people battling drug addiction.
Also speaking, Lanre Issa Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), called for urgent measures to curb the link between drug abuse and rising crime rates.
“The fight against drug abuse and domestic violence must be a collective effort. We must break the cycle to safeguard our communities,” Onilu emphasized.
